New rumours are emerging on social media that Apple is considering skipping the iPhone 18 entirely this spring, and instead ship the iPhone Air 2 as the ultimate base-model iPhone. Whilst I believe this could be the end goal, I don't expect this change as soon as next year.

The Rumour

The rumour appears to have originated from an account on X, called @earlyappleleaks (Early Apple). The account, which has over 2,000 followers and is followed by popular Apple content creators, including Zollo Tech, regularly posts images of leaked iPhones.

In July, they posted a render image of the supposed iPhone Air 2, with a dual camera system, which is widely expected to be the device that debuts next spring.

In a new post, Early Apple had said:

Apple is reportedly exploring the idea of “iPhone Air 2” replacing the upcoming “iPhone 18” next spring. The upcoming iPhone Air 2 would simply be rebranded as a $999 “iPhone 18”

No source has been provided, so the rumour should be taken with caution.

Why This Change Could Make Sense

iPhone 18 Becomes Redundant

As some have noted, two iPhone models with the same dual camera system, OLED ProMotion display and Dynamic Island feel unnecessary.

If one of those models comes in a thicker aluminium frame, whereas another is available in a thin, light titanium frame and a Ceramic Shield back, why would anyone buy the other model?

Apple's Air Branding

Looking at Apple's MacBook and iPad product lines, the Air product is the mainstream consumer device.

Apple offers three MacBook models:

  • MacBook Neo, the entry-level model
  • MacBook Air, the mainstream consumer model
  • MacBook Pro, the professional, high-end model

The same structure applies to iPad:

  • iPad, the entry-level model
  • iPad Air, the mainstream consumer model
  • iPad Pro, the high-end model

An iPhone lineup restructure could fit this pattern:

  • iPhone 17e, the entry-level budget iPhone
  • iPhone Air, the mainstream device to replace iPhone 17
  • iPhone Pro, Apple's current pro iPhone models

This would help clarify the Air's brand, as Apple could move it from the premium category to mainstream.

Why The Rumour Doesn't Make Sense

The current rumour does not add up in multiple places, including the materials used, branding and pricing.

Titanium Frame

The titanium iPhone frame has always been marketed as a premium material, and is traditionally associated with the Pro lineup.

If the titanium iPhone Air 2, the material it is rumoured to use, does become the base-model iPhone, it would arguably use more premium materials than its pro counterpart.

This would be a total switch up compared to a few years ago, where Apple introduced titanium to its 15 Pro and 16 Pro lineups, whilst keeping the base model iPhones aluminium.

Branding

Apple introduced the Air as an entirely new brand to its iPhone lineup in 2025. The rumour states that the iPhone Air would "be rebranded as a $999 'iPhone 18'."

If Apple were planning to match its other product lineups, and use the iPhone Air as its mainstream consumer product, why would they remove the Air brand from the device?

By removing the Air branding, they would be simply refreshing the base model device with a new design, and discontinuing the iPhone Air.

Price

Many of Apple's competitors sell a consumer device at around the £799 - £899 price point. Samsung's consumer device, the Galaxy S26, retails for £879. Google's Pixel 11 retails for £879. For reference, the iPhone 17 retails at £799.

If Apple repositioned the Air as iPhone 18, with a $999/£999 price tag, that's a £200 jump over the current model, and £120 more than Apple's top competitors.

The company will consider competitor prices before pricing the new iPhone 18, and will consider the iPhone 17's position as the world's best selling phone in Q1 2026, according to Counterpoint Research.

Why reposition the company's best selling device?

Final Thoughts

Merging the two product lines could be the end goal.

However, today's rumours in their current form have many discrepancies and things that do not add up, from the premium titanium finish to the £1,000 price.

I personally expect Apple's launch in spring 2027 to introduce three models:

  • iPhone 18e, the budget model
  • iPhone 18, the base model & successor to iPhone 17
  • iPhone Air 2, the premium flagship model from the launch

A bigger rethink of the iPhone lineup could come from September 2027 and onwards, as the company marks the 20th anniversary of iPhone.